Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, Washington Oaks is also famous for the unique shoreline of coquina rock formations that line its Atlantic beach. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, this property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington. The gardens were established by Louise and Owen Young who purchased the land in 1936 and built a winter retirement home. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the State. The gardens make remarkable use of native and exotic species, from azaleas and camellias to the exquisite bird of paradise, sheltered within a picturesque oak hammock. Visitors can picnic and fish from either the beach or the seawall along the Matanzas River. A number of short trails provide opportunities for hiking and bicycling. Visitors can learn about the park's natural and cultural resources in the visitor center. Located two miles south of Marineland on State Road A1A.

History of the Area

Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The hill at the top of the rose garden is formed by a midden -- the mound of oyster shells and other discards left by generations of Indians. Archaeological studies are currently underway to learn more about the Indian ways of life here.

During the 1500?s and 1600?s several French, Spanish, and English groups passed through the area. The first documented settlement by Europeans came in 1770 when the British government granted the land to John Moultrie, Lieutenant Governor of East Florida. Moultrie mined the heaps of oyster shells to produce lime in his lime kiln and established an orange grove.

In 1793 a fire, probably natural, swept over the tract. Shortly after, it was acquired by a Portuguese born merchant who may have constructed some buildings and planted crops. Common crops on nearby farms were rice and corn.

In 1818, Jose Mariano Hernandez, a St. Augustine native of Minorcan descent, bought the land. He named it "Bella Vista."

Hernandez? career as a planter was typical for many in northeast Florida. He was a citizen of a Spanish colony, owning lands granted by Spain. In 1821, Florida became a U.S. territory.

Hernandez swore allegiance to the new country and changed his name to Joseph Marion Hernandez. His service to the government included representing St. Augustine in the Territorial legislature in Tallahassee and serving as the first Representative from the Territory of Florida to the U.S. Congress. He became known as General Hernandez because, as Brigadier General, he organized and commanded militia before and during the Second Seminole War (1835-42).

On his several land holdings, Hernandez raised cotton, sugar, and crops to feed the family, workers, and slaves. Bella Vista adjoined his cotton plantation to the south, but was apparently never developed as a separate farm itself. In 1836, Indians burned plantations along the Matanzas River, that were occupied by U.S. troops, including Hernandez lands. Since Bella Vista was not garrisoned, it was not destroyed. But the plantation economy in this part of the state never fully recovered.

In 1845, Hernandez? daughter Luisa married a lawyer from North Carolina named George Lawrence Washington. While George Lawrence and Luisa Washington lived in the St. Augustine area until 1856, it does not appear that they built a home or resided at Bella Vista.

Washington apparently remembered this land fondly long after Luisa died. In 1878, he began seasonal visits to St. Augustine. At Bella Vista, now owned by another daughter of General Hernandez, he built a small beach house, which he and his sons used for hunting and fishing and raising citrus. In 1888, he bought the entire property from her and people began calling it "The Washington Place."

After Washington?s death in 1894, the property went to his heirs. One of them, a son from a later marriage in New Jersey, sold the land to unrelated developers in 1923. Only the collapse of the 1920?s Florida land boom kept the tract from sprouting a new crop of homes in a subdivision to be called "Hernandez Estates."

In 1936 the land was bought by Louise Powis Clark, a designer from New York. It was to become a winter retirement home for herself and her third husband, Owen D. Young. Young, an attorney and industrialist who had been chairman of the board of General Electric Corporation and RCA, advised the Government on international monetary issues.

Hotels like this are hard to find. In operation since 1986, Beacher's Lodge is a condo-hotel located on Crescent Beach. All the oceanfront suites have a patio or private balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The large expanse of white sand always makes for memorable enjoyment.

Join us for Yoga in the Park, Mondays in March from 9am-10:30am. Instructor Jillian Davis will guide you through a gentle yoga practice each Monday morning for 4 weeks in the beautiful setting of Washington Oaks. The class is for all levels, no experience needed. Classes will take place in varying locations around the park, incorporating meditation, breathing exercises, and gentle movements. Pre-registration is required by calling 386-446-6783.

Additional Information:

April 1

First Friday Garden Walk

Join us the First Friday of every month for a guided tour of our beautiful gardens! Visitors will meet in the garden parking lot at 10:00 a.m. Wear comfortable shoes. The tour will last approximately one hour.

Additional Information:

April 23

Earth Day

The Friends of Washington Oaks will sponsor their 27th annual Earth Day festival on April 23rd, 2016! Join us for live music, environmental exhibits and vendors, educational walks, children''s section, food, chance drawings and much more!

Additional Information:

May 6

First Friday Garden Walk

Join us the First Friday of every month for a guided tour of our beautiful gardens! Visitors will meet in the garden parking lot at 10:00 a.m. Wear comfortable shoes. The tour will last approximately one hour.

Fishing from the seawall as well surf fishing is allowed at Washington Oaks. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a popular place for recreational fishing. Fishing can be enjoyed from the parks seawall in the Matanzas River and from the beach, if surf fishing is your pleasure. A number of different species are routinely caught including whiting and blue fish in the surf and redfish, drum and flounder and several species of trout along the seawall. Non residents are required to posses a Florida Saltwater fishing license. Florida residents are not required to posses a license when fishing from shore.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park provides a beautiful picnic facility beneath large majestic oaks. There is a covered pavilion with other tables and grills located throughout the picnic area . The picnic areas close proximity to the parks hiking trail and the Matanzas River, makes it a popular meeting place for an after lunch hike. The pavilion is available for reservations by calling the Park office at 386-446-6783. Restroom facilities and a children's play area is also available in the picnic area.

Day Use Area

For further enjoyment we have a children's playground located in the picnic area close to the banks of the Matanzas River, commonly referred to as the intracoastal waterway. The playground is equipped with such amenities as a slide and swing set. It is located in a coastal hammock, so is sure to provide ample shade.

Trails

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park provides trails for both hiking and biking. The Bella Vista trails, include the Timucuan hiking trail, Jungle Road hike and bike trail and the Old A-1-A hike and bike trail. This 1.7 mile trail system explores a mature coastal maritime hammock and ventures into the edge of a dense canopied coastal scrub. The Mala Compra hiking loop is a one half (1/2 mile) loop that explores the ecotone between the coastal maritime hammock and the estuarine tidal marsh along the Matanzas River. The hiking trails at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park were developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the Florida Trail Association.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

December 6favorite park

my family and i love this park. there is so much to do and it has been great therapy for my special needs daughter. she just gets a big grin on her face everytime we go. the trails are easy walk for me with ms and its just so gorgeous and wonderful year round.

October 19Excellent experience.

Lovely gardens and nature trails, although map and signage are poor, so you have to look around for the trails. Beach with coquina rock is interesting. Very nicely maintained.

Pets

All pets must be on a 6-foot leash and well behaved at all times. Pets may not be left unattended. You may walk your pet in the picnic area, along the bike trails, and hiking trails but not in the Gardens or on the Beach.